asked the Minister for Health the total number of persons living in each regional health board area who are substantially and permanently handicapped by illness, injury or congenital deformity.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Statistics of Handicapped.
24.
It is not possible to give the precise information sought. The numbers of handicapped persons, however, in each regional health board area who were in receipt of disabled persons maintenance allowances on 31/3/1970 were:—
|
Health Board Area |
|
|
Eastern |
3,287 |
|
Midland |
1,489 |
|
Mid Western |
1,969 |
|
North Eastern |
1,896 |
|
North Western |
2,427 |
|
South Eastern |
2,938 |
|
Southern |
4,616 |
|
Western |
4,482 |
|
TOTAL |
23,104 |
Disabled Persons Maintenance Allowances are payable in respect of disabilities, which include injury, disease, congenital deformity, physical or mental illness or defect which have continued or may reasonably be expected to continue for at least one year. They are not payable to persons with adequate means, children under 16 years or those in institutions.
Accurate information is not available in regard to handicapped children other than those in special schools. Of the mentally handicapped, however, 2,400 are receiving services on a day basis. There are also 896 mentally handicapped children awaiting admission to institutions but a number of these would be included among those receiving services on a day basis. A break-down of these figures as between different health board areas is not available. There are 180 pupils attending special schools for the deaf on a day basis, these belonging in the main to the Eastern Health Board area.